Expect the Chiefs to go looking for a backup QB

The Chiefs have their starting quarterback, or will have in a couple of weeks, once their trade for Alex Smith becomes official. But don’t think for a minute that GM John Dorsey (pictured) and the Chiefs are finished at that position for this year.

The Chiefs have their starting quarterback, or will have in a couple of weeks, once their trade for Alex Smith becomes official. But don’t think for a minute the Chiefs are finished at that position for this year.

The only quarterbacks the Chiefs currently have under contract are Matt Cassel, who will be traded or released, as well as Ricky Stanzi and Alex Tanney. Neither Stanzi nor Tanney has ever taken a snap in a regular season NFL game. Brady Quinn is a potential unrestricted free agent and the Chiefs appear ready to set him free.

So there’s room for at least one more quarterback. John Dorsey’s history with Green Bay is that the Packers would many times draft a quarterback in a middle to late round in hopes of finding a gem. The same for Andy Reid with the Eagles, so expect the Chiefs at least to investigate heavily and perhaps make a pick in the third round or later.

Whatever they do, the Chiefs need a quarterback capable of stabilizing the situation in case Smith falters or is injured. Perhaps the biggest failure of Scott Pioli’s time with the Chiefs is that they were rendered helpless (except for three games with Kyle Orton) when Cassel was injured or not playing well. Pioli paid for that decision with his job.